KEEANA CEREZO SHINES AT BENEFIT CONCERT FOR TEAM CANADA CROSSOVER

KEEANA CEREZO may have been through a lot as a victim of bullying at a tender age. But like many of those with strong family support, Keeana overcome that difficult stage in her very young life. She has in fact find her voice and strength in her music.

Durham Region, with its serene landscape and beautiful people, hides most of its brilliant residents in the backdrop of a slow kind of living. Keeana lives in the comfort of a family who despite many challenges with her mom diagnosed with cancer, live through it and find solace on a reverberating voice that liberates the family who loves her deeply.

My connection with Keeana was always a fleeting thing. We were on the same venue as I was invited in the Pickering Mall some years back invited to cover the event in my capacity as a citizen journalist at large by friends who were involved in the event. Keeana  was also there to perform and I heard her performed as rows of seats occupied by dignitaries from all levels of governments sat eyes probing on a young girl confidently singing in front of them.

It was followed by some other events. But what really drew us closer was her performance of a concert I hosted for the Clergies of Cebu City, Philippines in 2014 in Courtice, Ontario. I asked her to perform of which she did with her sister, Keesha Cerezo and other junior performers. I remembered her singing Mariah Carey's "Hero" and the audience were silenced by her powerful vocals.

This performance was followed by the Cerezos gracing our Simbang Gabi at St. Therese Church where I picked her for the song "Holy Night" which she definitely gave justice in the culmination of our mass.

Keeana is quiet but engaging. There is that ready smile on her face once you strike a conversation with her. I love that warm, courteous demeanor I seldom see from most of her age. There's always that sincere friendly embraces at every chance we met. She will never overlooked the word thank you for a slightest assistance I have accorded her. It is this little gratefulness that you always want to look back at a person and Keeana never missed that courtesy to me. But it isn't about seeking something in return nor any hollow intent to pretend.

Her mom, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer is also equally grateful for my occasional support. I've always been supportive of Keeana. I've always asked her many times, "Are you going solo?' And that is the same question I whispered to her last night after the concert, "Are you going solo? I'm waiting...." because warm and loving people like Keeana deserves a little of my time and resources of being a writer.

With Keeana's nature and the right vehicle....she won't miss the road she will travel on.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW: KEEANA CEREZO nailed it at a benefit  concert in Markham, Ontario- February 20, 2016. Video clips by Li ERON